Safety gate hook

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to improvements in safety hook devices, and more particularly to a novel automatically operable latch mechanism for preventing inadvertent disengagement or opening of a gate hook. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes an elongate shank section, a generally U-shaped hook section supported by one extremity of the shank section, the opposite extremity thereof including an attachment section adapted for pivotal coupling with a fixed fitting. A novel hook latching means is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced arms pivotally supported in the vicinity of the juncture of the hook section with the shank section. When in latching position, the spaced free extremities of the latching means superimpose the hook section. Novel abutment members limit the degree of pivotal movement of the latching means in opposite directions.

limited States Patent 0 [191 Newlon [52] 11.8. C1 70/108, 292/210, 292/285 [51] Int. Cl. E05c 19/12 [58] Field of Search 292/108, 210, 285,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1907 Parsons 292/108 1/1923 Aldrich 292/108 X 2,470,706 5/1949 Larson. 2 2/108 3,594,030 7/1971 Paetz 292/108 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 393,718 6/1933 Great Britain 292/108 June 12, 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-Roy H. Olson, Richard R. Trexler, Robert M. Wolters et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to improvements in safety hook devices, and more particularly to a novel automatically operable latch mechanism for preventing inadvertent disengagement or opening of a gate hook. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes an elongate shank section, a generally Ushaped hook section supported by one extremity of the shank section, the opposite extremity thereof including an attachment section adapted for pivotal coupling with a fixed fitting. A novel hook latching means is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced arms pivotally supported in the vicinity of the juncture of the hook section with the shank section. When in latching position, the spaced free extremities of the latching means superimpose the hook section. Novel abutment members limit the degree of pivotal movement of the latching means in opposite directions.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 SAFETY GATE nook SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved tiltable latching means for a gate hook which will readily permit association of a gate hook with a fitting, but will automatically assume a position traversing the hook portion so as to prevent unintentional detachment of the gate hook from the fitting.

More specifically, the invention contemplates an improved latching means of the type set forth above which in its latching position is adapted to superimpose the opposite sides of the free extremity of a gate hook, together with novel abutment means for limiting the degree of pivotal movement of said latching means in opposite directions.

The invention further contemplates improved latching means of the type set forth above equipped with latch arms which will extend substantially horizontally when in latching position with respect to a gate hook bent in substantially a vertical position to permit convenient association of a gate hook with a fixed fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved gate hook device which is representative of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, more clearly to illustrate the manner in which the spaced free extremities of the hook latching means are maintained in their latched position; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the manner in which the latching means may be tilted to a substantially vertical position to permit attachment or detachment of the hook section with respect to a hookaccommodating fitting.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be noted that a gate hook device which is representative of one embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The device includes an elongate shank section 12, one extremity of which is provided with an attachment section 14 adapted for pivotal coupling with a fixed U-shaped fitting or staple 16. In the disclosed embodiment, a fixed fitting 16 is attached to and extends outwardly from a plate 18 suitably mounted in a fixed position upon a frame member 20 by means of screws 22. The opposite extremity of the shank section 12 is bent in the form of a U-shaped hook section designated generally by the numeral 24.

i The free extremity of the U-shaped hook section 24 is designated by the numeral 26 and is adapted to be accommodated by a suitable fitting or eye bolt 28.

A hook latching device designated generally by the numeral 30 is of integral construction and includes a pair of spaced arms 32 which are pivotally supported by a pin or rivet 34, positioned at the point of juncture of the U-shaped hook 24 with the elongate shank 12.

As will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, an abutment 36 traverses the spaced arms 32 and provides means for limiting the extent to which the arm 32 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The abutment 36 engages the outer edge of the hook section 24, thus maintaining the arm 32 in a substantially horizontal position, with the free extremities thereof positioned on opposite sides of the free extremity 26 of the hook section. Another abutment 38, positioned on the side of the pin 34 oppositely disposed from the abutment 36, serves to limit the extent to which the latch arm 32 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the substantially vertical position shown in FIG. 3. In fact, the abutments 36 and 33 may be so disposed that each cooperates with the other in limiting the extent of clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, as will be clear from the drawing.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention contemplates a very simple yet positively effective operable self-latching gate hook. By having the spaced latching arms swingable to a substantially vertical position, as described, the hook 24 must be .lowered completely, as illustrated in FIG. 3, before the latching arms 32 may be swung downwardly. In instances where it is desirable, the users thumb may be pressed against the upper edge of the abutment 36 in order to maintain the vertical unlatched position of the latching arms. By release of such pressure, the arms will automatically swing downwardly to their latching position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The above described device is of very practical construction and may be produced at minimum cost.

It will be noted that the abutment 38 is of substantial length as compared with the abutment 36, and thus lends lateral strength to the spaced arms 32. Also, the abutment 36 is spaced a greater distance from the axis of the pivot pin 34 than the longer abutment 38. This serves to facilitate engagement thereof by the users thereof in maintaining the latching member 30 in unlatched position.

The application is claimed as follows:

1. A safety gate hook device including an elongate shank section, a generally U-shaped hook section integral with and supported by one extremity of said shank section, an attachment section at the opposite extremity of said elongate shank section, and hook latching means including a pair of laterally spaced arms pivotally supported in the vicinity of the juncture of said hook section with said shank section, free laterally spaced extremities of said arms when in latching position superimposing opposite sides of the free extremity of said hook section, said latching means having abutment means engageable with the inner surface of said hook section to limit the degree of pivotal movement of said latching means in one direction toward its unlatched position, and abutment means engageable with said hook section to limit the degree of pivotal movement of said latching means in the opposite direction toward its latching position.

2. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means of said hook latching means comprise elements extending between said arms and positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the pivotal support.

3. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laterally spaced arms in their unlatched section is disposed a greater distance from the pivot axis than the abutment means which engages the inner surface of the hook section.

6. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means for engaging the inner surface of the hook section is of substantial length and conforms generally with the contour of said inner hook surface. 

1. A safety gate hook device including an elongate shank section, a generally U-shaped hook section integral with and supported by one extremity of said shank section, an attachment section at the opposite extremity of said elongate shank section, and hook latching means including a pair of laterally spaced arms pivotally supported in the vicinity of the juncture of said hook section with said shank section, free laterally spaced extremities of said arms when in latching position superimposing opposite sides of the free extremity of said hook section, said latching means having abutment means engageable with the inner surface of said hook section to limit the degree of pivotal movement of said latching means in one direction toward its unlatched position, and abutment means engageable with said hook section to limit the degree of pivotal movement of said latching means in the opposite direction toward its latching position.
 2. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means of said hook latching means comprise elements extending between said arms and positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the pivotal support.
 3. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laterally spaced arms in their unlatched position extend substantiAlly vertically and in their latching position extend substantially horizontally.
 4. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means for engaging the inner surface of the hook section is of greater length than the ohter abutment means whereby to lend lateral strength to the spaced arms.
 5. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means for engaging the hook section is disposed a greater distance from the pivot axis than the abutment means which engages the inner surface of the hook section.
 6. A safety gate hook device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment means for engaging the inner surface of the hook section is of substantial length and conforms generally with the contour of said inner hook surface. 